Via Second Avenue Sagas, a visually compelling look at NYC transit statistics, complete with comparisons to systems in other cities (we stack up pretty well until you get to on-time performance).
Visualizing Transit Data
Williamsburg Community Board Approves Parks Concert Series
The waterfront concerts were not the only concert series on the agenda of last nights CB1 Parks Committee meeting. I hear that at the end of the meeting the committee recommended that the full board support the L Magazine’s Northside Festival concerts in McCarren Park (I think on the asphalt baseball fields across from the Turkey’s Nest). The concerts (which will, in part, benefit OSA, and which will have a capacity of 5,000, but I guess the similarities end there) include Beirut on June 17th and the Wavves opening for Guided by Voices on the 18th.
(The rest of the Northside Fesitival lineup feature The Hold Steady, Titus, the Fiery Furnaces and a whole bunch more in a series of venues spread around the neighborhood.
The Day the Music Was Turned Down (But Not Really)
Apparently last night’s CB1 Parks Committee was a bit of a doozy (Aaron Short went so I didn’t have to!). In an advisory vote, the committee recommended that the number of concerts be cut by a third and that attendance at each concert be cut by about 25% (from 6,500 to 5,000 people). Since the Open Space Alliance has already booked 15 shows for the summer, and since the concerts are held on State park land (which the local CB1 has no jurisdiction over), this vote won’t change anything. It may be a symbolic gesture, but it’s pretty clear that some people are not too happy with the concerts or with OSA.
For Williamsburg Renters, Look But Don’t Swim
Renters in the affordable housing components of the Edge and Northside Piers pay rents well below market rates (some as low as $398 per month, according to the Times). But they don’t have access to the amenities on the luxury side of the development.
More on Hope
Rami Metal, Councilman Steve Levin’s Williamsburg & Greenpoint rep, posted the following to the CB1 Info mailing list:
Some of you may already be aware of this but for those who are not I am deeply saddened to say that Hope Reichbach, our communications director, died yesterday. We are unbelievably shaken and saddened by her sudden passing and are putting all our energy right now into working through this difficult time and helping her family in any way we can. The funeral is being held on Sunday at noon and the full details are below.
Needless to say we feel that we need to cancel the planned 2:30pm rally against the proposed homeless shelter at 400 McGuinness Blvd. We do not yet have a new date for the rally but will work to figure something out in the next week or so. Obviously this is very last minute and we are doing what we can to let people know about the cancellation but if folks can let their friends or neighbors know that would be helpful.
As for the funeral arrangements, the services will take place at Congregation Mount Sinai, 250 Cadman Plaza West, at noon on Sunday. All are welcome.
The Reichbach family will sit shiva Sunday following the service, Monday and Tuesday all day at 148 Bond Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217.
Donations in Hope’s name can be made to: Nicholas Naquan Heyward Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc., 413 Baltic Street, Suite 1A, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Below is a joint statement from last night from Steve and the Speaker:
Joint Statement by Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Council Member Stephen Levin
This evening we learned of the tragic death of one of the Council’s family. A bright young woman who was at the start of a career in public service is gone too soon. Hope was a wonderful, vivacious, and tough young woman. A beautiful soul who cared deeply about her community and her family. We are deeply saddened by her passing and will miss her more than words can ever describe. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and her friends, and everyone affected by this loss. We also respectfully request that the media respect the family’s privacy at this most difficult time.
Hope Reichbach
This is sad beyond words. Hope Reichbach was found dead in her Boerum Hill apartment yesterday afternoon. She was a wonderful young woman and a positive force in her community and mine.
Gatemouth and FiPS have some very nice remembrances, as do the commenters at this Brooklyn Paper article.
My condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
Rough Homecoming for a Washington Lawmaker
It’s nice to see some town hall chickens coming home to roost for our friends on the right.
Former President George W. Bush was one of the evening’s frequent scapegoats, prompting [Congressman Michael] Grimm, at one point, to say: “This year’s deficit is due to George Bush? That’s insanity! That’s insane.”
Yes, it is insane. True, but insane:
Source: cbpp.org
Barcade Goes Regional
Williamsburg’s Barcade is branching out, with a new location open this past weekend in Jersey City and another set to open in Philadelphia.
A Better Look at Triangle Court
Triangle Court (proposed)
Architect: KOH Architecture
Photo: KOH Architecture via Curbed
Yesterday, Curbed posted a better image of Triangle Court. Here it is in all it’s glory.
The building will occupy the former gas station site on the western half of the triangle formed by Grand, Keap and Borinquen. The future of the rest of the triangle (under separate ownership) is not known.